Smart Stores 24/7: Walk in and Pick & Go or Just Walk Out Shops – Autonomous Systems for Retail (ARS) | Metaverse & 2D Codes

A “Walk In Shop” generally simply refers to a physical retail store that customers can walk into to purchase products. This is the traditional retail approach where customers physically select their purchases and in the context of the Smart Store, payment is made via a smartphone app after the pick & scan process. The cashier or going to the checkout is therefore no longer necessary.

Just Walk Out technology, on the other hand, is a specific technology developed by Amazon to revolutionize the shopping process. It is a cashierless shopping system that allows customers to enter the store, select their items and then simply leave the store without queuing at a traditional checkout. The technology uses advanced sensors, cameras, machine learning and RFID technology to automatically capture the selected items and bill the purchase amount to the customer's Amazon account. No interaction with cashiers or registers is required.

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• South Korea is a pioneering online retail market worldwide

Just Walk Out (JWO) technology allows customers to simply walk into a store, grab the products they want, and then simply leave without having to wait in line at the checkout. This innovative technology offers a seamless and convenient shopping experience that surpasses traditional shopping methods.

How does “Just Walk Out” technology work?

JWO technology uses artificial intelligence, image recognition and sensors placed in the store's aisles and shelves. This technology tracks the items selected and moved by customers. To use the JWO feature, customers must use a mobile app before entering the store. The app processes customers' personal information and payment preferences.

The shopping process with “Just Walk Out” technology is incredibly simple: customers scan a code when they enter the store. The selected products are automatically added or removed from the virtual shopping cart. When you leave the store, an automatic credit card payment is made. If customers wish, they can receive their purchase receipt by entering their email address at a kiosk.

The pioneers and new market participants

Amazon and Alibaba were the pioneers in introducing “Just Walk Out” technology. But now new entrants are entering the field, and Amazon is sharing its technology with other retailers. This makes this revolutionary shopping method accessible to a wider target group.

Data protection: opportunities and risks

The introduction of JWO technology naturally raises questions regarding data protection. There are potential positive impacts from privacy-enhancing features designed to protect customer privacy. However, there are also concerns about constant surveillance, the use of data for other purposes, the lack of transparency and the possible vulnerability of certain individuals.

human factor

In a well-thought-out system, the human factor should not be ignored. As great as the technical possibilities are, the sociological aspect of human coexistence is also taken into account. The face of autonomy is not the machine, but still the human being.

In an Autonomous Retail Systems (ARS) (see also below in the next section), in addition to the information center (service station), cashiers and employees can also be found in the aisles. Even if only during the usual opening hours, it is still a humane overall concept. Jobs will not be eliminated and the shopping experience will not be leveled; it has been optimized for the future for both suppliers and customers.

Bypass checkout process

Just Walk Out technology promises a groundbreaking shopping experience that can revolutionize shopping. With its seamless functionality and ability to bypass the tedious checkout process, it will undoubtedly appeal to many customers. However, it is important to be aware that privacy issues and possible risks also play a role. As consumers, we should therefore educate ourselves about how this technology works and its implications in order to make informed decisions.

In recent years, technological advances have significantly changed the shopping experience. Smart stores, equipped with the latest technology, offer customers personalized shopping experiences and improved interactions. But the combination of three pioneering technologies – 2D codes, metaverse and smart stores – promises to revolutionize the shopping experience even more fundamentally and create an entirely new dimension of retail.

The 2D code and its diverse application possibilities in the Smart Store

1. The worldwide introduction of 2D codes, also called 2Dd matrix code

The 2D code is an evolutionary development of the traditional barcode. By 2027, the retail industry is planning a global initiative called “Sunrise 2027” to replace the traditional 12-digit barcode consisting of vertical lines printed on packaging with a two-dimensional version that is web-enabled.

More about it here:

• Important information for logistics: Sunrise 2027, the Data Matrix code (2D barcode) or QR code will replace the barcode

2. How 2D code works and benefits in retail

The 2D code can not only store a larger amount of information, but also allows for faster capture by smartphones or scanners. This means that product information, prices, reviews and even personalized offers can be transferred directly to the customer's smartphone in the Smart Store.

3. Augmented Reality (AR) and 2D codes in the shopping experience

AR applications open up new possibilities for the use of 2D codes. Customers can use their smartphones to scan products and virtually project them into their surroundings to visualize them before purchasing. This creates an impressive and immersive shopping experience.

More about it here:

• 2D matrix code (from 2027 successor to the EAN/UPC or GTIN 1D barcode) can also be used for WebAR or WebXR (3D)!

The Metaverse: Virtual Reality and its Integration into the Smart Store

1. The emergence of the Metaverse

The Metaverse is a virtual, collaborative and immersive universe where users can interact with each other and share digital experiences. It is based on technologies such as VR and AR and is becoming increasingly important in the gaming industry and social networking.

2. The Retail Metaverse

The integration of the Metaverse into the Smart Store opens up a completely new dimension of shopping. Customers can visit virtual stores, test products in a digital environment and interact with other shoppers and experts in real time.

More about it here:

• The Customer Metaverse and the Experience – Metaverse Commerce & Sales: Customer Experiences and Consumer Experiences

3. Virtual fittings and digital showrooms

Thanks to the Metaverse, customers can try on clothes virtually by combining their own likeness with the clothes in the virtual showroom in real time. This enables better purchasing decisions and reduces returns.

More about it here:

• Pioneer in digital retail: ALDI Süd impresses with a unique shopping experience in the 'Metaverse'

The synergy between 2D codes, metaverse and smart stores

1. Interactive real-time product information

The combination of 2D codes and Metaverse technologies allows customers to scan products in physical stores and instantly receive rich information, product reviews and recommendations in the virtual space.

2. Personalized shopping experiences

Intelligently linking customer profiles with the data collected in the metaverse enables smart stores to present personalized offers and product recommendations in real time.

3. Collaborative shopping in the metaverse

The Metaverse creates a global community of buyers and experts who can advise each other and test products together. These social interactions strengthen the shopping experience and promote customer loyalty.

Smybiosis of shopping experiences

The symbiosis of 2D codes, metaverse and smart stores will permanently change the way people shop. By seamlessly connecting physical and virtual shopping experiences, customers will benefit from unprecedented choice, personalization and interaction. Smart stores will become places where reality and virtuality merge, creating an exciting, immersive and social shopping experience. Retail faces an exciting future where technology has the potential to fundamentally revolutionize the shopping experience.

➡️ The Autonomous Retail System (ARS) was the groundbreaking concept that laid the foundation for the emergence of various smart store variants. It revolutionized retail by leveraging automation and autonomization to improve customer experience and operational efficiency alike. The idea behind the ARS was to create a seamless shopping experience where customers could shop autonomously and self-determined.

The different Smart Shops variants

Following the success of the ARS, various companies and retailers began developing different variations of it to meet the individual needs of customers and the demands of the market. Here are some of the notable variants:

Autonomous smart shops

These business models are based on the ARS and offer a similar shopping experience. Customers can navigate stores, select products and pay using smart shopping carts or mobile apps. Some advanced autonomous smart stores also use facial recognition and AI technologies to provide personalized recommendations.

Walk-in shops with Scan & Go

A walk-in shop is a physical retail store that offers customers the opportunity to come in and shop without making an appointment. Unlike online stores, customers in the walk-in store can enjoy the shopping experience, receive personal advice from employees and take products with them immediately without having to wait for delivery. The walk-in store is therefore a traditional retail method that offers customers a haptic and immediate shopping experience.

At Walk In Shops with Scan & Go, the focus is on the simplicity and efficiency of the purchasing process. There are usually no more information centers or human cashiers here. Customers can simply walk into the store, scan products and pay for their selections via an app or the scanner and leave the store without waiting. This model aims to reduce operational costs and enable quick turnaround.

Scan & Go is a modern retail technology that allows customers to scan and pay for their purchases in-store independently, without queuing at the traditional checkout. The process is simple: the customer uses a smartphone or a special hand-held scanner to scan the barcodes of the products as they place them in their shopping cart. The items are automatically saved in a shopping list and the total price updates in real time. Once the customer has finished shopping, they pay the total amount directly via the app or scanner and leave the store without having to wait in line at the checkout. Scan & Go saves time and offers customers a faster and more convenient shopping experience.

It is important to note that this technology may be implemented differently in different stores and countries. Some stores allow you to place items in bring-your-own bags, while others require final checks by staff to prevent theft.

Pick & Go or Just Walk Out Shops

Just Walk Out technology uses artificial intelligence, image recognition and in-store sensors to capture the items customers select and move. Customers must use a mobile app that processes personal information and payment preferences before entering the branch. When shopping, customers scan a code upon entry and items are automatically added to the virtual shopping cart. Automatic credit card payment is made when you leave the store. A purchase receipt can optionally be requested by email.

Unmanned Smart Shops

This variant goes one step further and relies entirely on the autonomy of the business. Unmanned smart stores are often small units that can be placed in busy areas, shopping centers or even public transport. Customers can select products, pay, and enter or exit the store without the need for human staff.

Personal Smart Shops

In contrast to fully autonomous models, personal smart stores still have a minimum number of human staff. However, these employees are not tied to cash registers, but rather serve as customer advisors or experts in specific product categories. The focus here is on providing expertise and a personalized shopping experience.

The crucial difference – customer experience vs. cost reduction

The key difference between the ARS and the various Smart Store variants is the emphasis on customer experience and autonomy. While the ARS aims to provide customers with a seamless and personal shopping experience, the other models focus more on cost reduction and efficiency for retailers.

The ARS maintains human interactions by incorporating information centers and human cashiers to assist the customer when needed and add a personal element. The other variants, such as unmanned smart stores and walk-in stores, largely forego human interaction in order to minimize operating costs and speed up the purchasing process.

While the ARS remains attractive to retailers seeking a superior customer experience, the other variants offer a cost-effective solution, particularly in high-traffic areas or for fast-moving products.

News and developments

Since the introduction of the ARS, many companies have jumped on the bandwagon and developed their own Smart Store variants. This has led to a growing variety of autonomous retail concepts that are continually influencing and evolving the market.

Some of the recent developments include the use of cutting-edge technologies such as Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) to further improve the shopping experience. Customers can virtually try out products and see how they would look in their home or environment before making a purchasing decision.

More on this in connection with the matrix code, which is scheduled to be used worldwide in 2027:

• 2D matrix code (from 2027 successor to the EAN/UPC or GTIN 1D barcode) can also be used for WebAR or WebXR (3D)!

Furthermore, some smart store variants have begun making their technology platforms available to other retailers, resulting in a type of “smart store as a service” model. This means that even smaller retailers can benefit from the benefits of autonomy and automation without having to make huge investments in technology.

The development of ARS and the various Smart Store variants is far from complete. The industry continues to be driven forward by innovative ideas and technologies, and autonomous retail is expected to see many more exciting developments in the coming years.

The basic idea behind the ARS is that some people might shy away from a completely autonomous store. The human aspect, the relationship and interaction with shop staff play an important role in traditional retail and create a feeling of familiarity and personal care. With fully autonomous stores, some customers may feel that something essential is missing - the human touch.

The lack of a breakthrough in autonomous businesses so far may be due to the fact that the transition from traditional, labor-intensive businesses to fully automated facilities still seems too abrupt for many people. Changing customer habits and expectations often takes time, and adoption of new technologies takes time to become established.

However, things could change in the coming years. As society gradually gets used to modern concepts such as autonomous shopping, the barriers and reservations towards fully autonomous shops could gradually be reduced. Advances in technology and retailers' ongoing efforts to improve the customer experience could also help autonomous business models become more attractive in the future.

Increasing digitalization and automation in many aspects of everyday life could also contribute to people becoming more open to modern retail concepts. Increasing familiarity with self-driving cars, artificial intelligence and other technologies could help autonomous businesses become a natural part of our everyday lives.

However, it remains to be seen exactly how acceptance for autonomous business models will develop. Retailers must continue to focus on finding the right balance between automation and personal customer service to meet customer needs and expectations.

The transition to fully autonomous stores will be a gradual process that requires time and adaptation. However, as technology advances and acceptance of modern concepts grows, autonomous business models could play an increasingly larger role in retail in the coming years. It remains exciting to see how this innovative way of shopping continues to develop and be integrated into people's everyday lives.

Logistics never stops. One challenge follows another. Warehouse optimization, process acceleration, cost efficiency, CO2 reduction, automation and competitive pressure. The main driver of this development is e-commerce.

The requirements for micro hubs already exist in Germany!

Converting the central warehouses of retail companies or logistics centers into micro-hubs would be possible without any major problems. To start with, it is enough to expand just one part of the micro-fulfillment area and adapt it to the market using scaling solutions. For example, existing grocery chains can be converted into micro-hubs or a part of them can be converted into a micro-fulfillment solution.

Concept: Autonomous and Automated Retail Systems Shop/E-Commerce -Image: Xpert.Digital

Concept: Autonomous and automated retail systems central warehouse logistics center/e-commerce image: Xpert.Digital

More about it here:

• Speed ​​and flexibility are the pacesetters

Rewe Pick&Go offers an innovative shopping experience with a checkout-free option. Customers have the opportunity to shop conveniently without a cashier by using a special app in which they can store their payment details. This enables a smooth purchasing process.

The Pick&Go process is incredibly simple. Customers download the app and register. They can then link their preferred payment methods such as credit cards, Paypal, Google Pay or Apple Pay to their account and start shopping straight away.

The range in the Pick&Go stores is extensive and diverse. Customers will find a wide selection of products here, including fresh baked goods, loose fruits and vegetables and frozen goods. Trigo's salad bar is particularly popular, allowing customers to put together their salad according to their individual preferences.

An important concern at Pick&Go is protecting customer privacy. Modern technology is used to process the data securely. The computer vision software used only records information about the selected products and their returns. There is no facial recognition or identification of customers after they leave the store. Personal data is carefully protected.

Not only Rewe, but also other German retailers such as Netto (Edeka Group), Aldi Nord, Aldi Süd and Schwarz Group are relying on cashierless markets with the help of computer vision technology. Amazon has also opened over three dozen cashier-free stores in the US and UK, but recently closed eight Go stores for cost reasons.

The Pick&Go concept marks a path into a new era of shopping, and Rewe is taking a pioneering role here. Customers are welcome to try out the new shopping experience for themselves and enjoy the freedom of cashier-free shopping. Simply download the app, register and off you go!

Amazon has established itself as one of the leading online retailers and has significantly changed the way we shop online. Now the company has taken another innovative step to revolutionize the shopping experience – introducing “Just Walk Out” technology. With this advanced technology, customers can enter physical stores, pick items off the shelves and easily leave the store without having to wait at the checkout. In this report, we'll take a closer look at Just Walk Out and its impact on retailers and customers.

1. What is Just Walk Out?

Just Walk Out is a modern shopping system developed by Amazon. It is based on a combination of sensors, artificial intelligence and advanced algorithms. The main goal is to make the shopping process seamless and convenient by eliminating the need for traditional checkouts. Customers can simply enter the store, pick desired products from the shelves and leave the store without any processing.

2. How does Just Walk Out work?

The technology behind Just Walk Out is impressive. When entering the store, customers must open their Amazon app and link their payment information. Advanced sensors and cameras then monitor customers’ movements and actions in the store. Each product in the store has special labels that are recognized by the sensors. When a customer picks a product off the shelf, it is automatically added to the customer's virtual shopping cart in the Amazon app. When an item is put back, it is also removed from the virtual shopping cart.

3. Where is Just Walk Out?

Initially, Just Walk Out launched in select Amazon Go stores. These stores are specifically designed for the innovative shopping experience. However, the potential of Just Walk Out is not limited to Amazon Go. The company plans to make the technology available to other retail chains. It's entirely possible that we'll see Just Walk Out in other stores in the future.

4. Benefits of Just Walk Out

Time saving

Customers no longer have to wait in queues at the checkout, which significantly speeds up the entire shopping process.

Efficiency

The technology minimizes the risk of errors at checkout and enables a seamless shopping experience.

Staff reductions

By eliminating the need for cashiers, staffing costs could be reduced.

5. Challenges and concerns

data protection

Some customers have privacy concerns as the technology closely tracks their movements and interactions in the store.

Job losses

The introduction of Just Walk Out could lead to job losses for cashiers and cashiers, which could cause social problems.

Technical glitches

There is a possibility of technical malfunctions or problems with the system that could cause inconvenience to customers.

6. Impact on retail

The launch of Just Walk Out has the potential to transform retail. Traditional stores may need to adapt or risk falling behind the technological advances pioneered by Amazon. Some may look to adopt similar technologies to remain competitive, while others may choose alternative approaches to strengthen their customer loyalty.

7. Future prospects of Just Walk Out

Given Amazon's success and the positive response from customers to Just Walk Out, it is likely that this technology will continue to be developed and expanded. New features and improvements could be added to make the shopping experience even more enjoyable. In addition, other companies could develop similar technologies and further increase competition.

Technology in retail

Just Walk Out is undoubtedly a fascinating step towards a smooth and convenient shopping experience. It shows Amazon's commitment to innovation and continually improving the customer experience. Although there are challenges and concerns, the benefits of this technology could transform retail forever. It will be interesting to see how Just Walk Out evolves and how other companies respond to this retail revolution.

Generally speaking, both shopping systems refer to the same basic idea, where customers can enter physical retail stores, select their products and leave the store without queuing at the checkout or paying traditionally. The technology behind such systems uses sensors, cameras, computer vision and machine learning to recognize the products a customer takes off the shelf and automatically deduct the cost from the customer's account.

Both work similarly. In this they only differ in brand and implementation, but essentially pursue the same goal.